Method, apparatus, and computer program product for ascertaining a demand of promotions

ABSTRACT

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided herein for ascertaining a demand of promotions. An example method comprises receiving, from one or more consumers, at least one consumer request for at least one of one or more requested promotions or one or more requested providers, generating an aggregated list of the at least one of the one or more requested promotions or the one or more requested providers, ranking the aggregated list of the at least one consumer request, and causing one or more ranked lists to be distributed to at least one sales resource.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/103,256, titled “METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FORASCERTAINING A DEMAND OF PROMOTIONS,” filed on Dec. 11, 2013, the entirecontent of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally topromotion management and, more particularly, to a method, apparatus, andcomputer program product for ascertaining a demand of promotions.

BACKGROUND

Applicant has discovered problems with existing methods and systems forpromotional demand management. Through applied effort, ingenuity, andinnovation, Applicant has solved many of these identified problems bydeveloping a solution that is embodied by the present invention anddescribed in detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are therefore providedfor ascertaining a demand of promotions requested by a consumer via apromotional system.

A method for utilizing a consumer request to ascertain promotionaldemand is provided, the method comprising receiving, from one or moreconsumers, at least one consumer request for at least one of one or morerequested promotions or one or more requested providers, generating anaggregated list of the at least one of the one or more requestedpromotions or the one or more requested providers, ranking theaggregated list of the at least one consumer request, and causing one ormore ranked lists to be distributed to at least one sales resource,wherein the one or more ranked lists provide an indication of a demandfor the one or more requested promotions or the one or more requestedproviders.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises indicating to, atleast one consumer, at least one of a promotion or a provider inresponse to a request, and updating a consumer demand list with theconsumer request.

In some embodiments, the method further includes indicating to theconsumer, the consumer request is associated with the consumer demandlist, via a notification, wherein the notification is defined by atleast one of a communication, a text message, a link, an icon, or abutton.

In some embodiments, the request includes at least one of a search or abrowser selection.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the one or more requestedpromotions or the one or more requested providers is not returned inresponse to the request.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the one or more requestedpromotions or the one or more requested providers is not returned inresponse to the request and the one or more consumers is prompted to addthe one or more requested promotions or the one or more requestedproviders to the consumer demand list.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the one or more requestedpromotions or the one or more requested providers is added to a consumerdemand list via at least one of a link, a button, an icon, a requestform, a communication, or a text.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the one or more requestedpromotions or the one or more requested providers is added to a consumerdemand list via a thumbs up icon

In some embodiments, the one or more requested promotions is defined byat least one of a category, a sub-category, or a service, the category,the sub-category, or the service identifying a service or product, aprice, and at least one location.

In some embodiments, the one or more requested providers is defined byat least one of a category or a sub-category, the category or thesub-category identifying a provider and at least one location.

In some embodiments, generating the aggregated list of the at least oneof the one or more requested promotions or the one or more requestedproviders comprises receiving the at least one of the one or morerequested promotions or the one or more requested providers associatedwith the consumer request and aggregating the at least one of the one ormore requested promotions or the one or more requested providers.

In some embodiments, ranking the aggregated list of the at least oneconsumer request comprises assigning a promotion score to each of theone or more requested promotions, the promotion score comprising atleast one of a promotion availability score, consumer request score, ora seasonality score, assigning a provider score to each of the one ormore requested providers, the provider score comprising at least one ofa review score, a competitor promotion score, a prior performance ofrelated providers score, or a geographic score, and generating one ormore ranked lists.

In some embodiments, generating the one or more ranked lists comprisescalculating the promotion score or the provider score assigned to eachof the one or more requested promotions or the one or more requestedproviders, and ranking each of the at least one of the one or morerequested promotions or the one or more requested providers.

In some embodiments, causing the one or more ranked lists to bedistributed to the at least one sales resource comprises receiving theone or more ranked lists, wherein the one or more ranked lists comprisesthe at least one of the one or more requested promotions or the one ormore requested providers, allocating the one or more ranked lists to atleast one first sales resource, and deallocating the one or more rankedlists from the at least one first sales resource.

In some embodiments, causing the one or more ranked lists to bedistributed to the at least one sales resource further comprisesreallocating the one or more ranked lists to a second sales resource.

In some embodiments, the one or more requested providers currently doesnot offer a promotion.

In some embodiments, the one or more requested promotions isunavailable.

In some embodiments, the one or more ranked lists is dynamicallyallocated to the at least one sales resource based on at least one ofcurrent resources, need, or business objectives.

In some embodiments, the one or more ranked lists is dynamicallymodified based on at least one of a current resource, a need, or abusiness objectives.

An apparatus for utilizing a consumer request to ascertain promotionaldemand, the apparatus comprising at least one processor coupled to atleast one memory including computer program code, the at least onememory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor,cause the processor to at least receive, from one or more consumers, atleast one consumer request for at least one of one or more requestedpromotions or one or more requested providers, generate an aggregatedlist of the at least one of the one or more requested promotions or theone or more requested providers, rank the aggregated list of the atleast one consumer request, and cause one or more ranked lists to bedistributed to at least one sales resource, wherein the one or moreranked lists provide an indication of a demand for the one or morerequested promotions or the one or more requested providers.

A computer program product for utilizing a consumer request to ascertainpromotional demand, the computer program product comprising at least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable program code instructions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code instructions comprising program codeinstructions to receive, from one or more consumers, at least oneconsumer request for at least one of one or more requested promotions orone or more requested providers, generate an aggregated list of the atleast one of the one or more requested promotions or the one or morerequested providers, rank the aggregated list of the at least oneconsumer request, and cause one or more ranked lists to be distributedto at least one sales resource, wherein the one or more ranked listsprovide an indication of a demand for the one or more requestedpromotions or the one or more requested providers.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be setforth in portion in the description which follows, and in portion willbe obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention. The features and advantages of the invention will be realizedand attained by means of the elements and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing someexample embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects ofthe invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that theabove-described embodiments are merely examples and should not beconstrued to narrow the scope of the invention in any way. It will beappreciated that the scope of the invention encompasses many potentialembodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will befurther described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having therefore described certain example embodiments of the presentdisclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a promotional data system according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for utilizing aconsumer request to ascertain demand for a promotion engine;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process of receiving consumerrequests in accordance with some example embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process of orienting data inaccordance with some example embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process of distributing datain accordance with some example embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 6 shows an example graphical user interface display that may bepresented by various components of systems in accordance with someexample embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 7 shows an example graphical user interface display that may bepresented by various components of systems in accordance with someexample embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary screenshot of a request module; and

FIG. 9 shows an example graphical user interface display that may bepresented by various components of systems in accordance with someexample embodiments discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, theseinventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information” and similarterms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of beingcaptured, transmitted, received, displayed and/or stored in accordancewith various example embodiments. Thus, use of any such terms should notbe taken to limit the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, wherea computing device is described herein to receive data from anothercomputing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be receiveddirectly from the other computing device or may be received indirectlyvia one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example,one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, basestations, and/or the like. Similarly, where a computing device isdescribed herein to send data to another computing device, it will beappreciated that the data may be sent directly to the another computingdevice or may be sent indirectly via one or more intermediary computingdevices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers,network access points, base stations, and/or the like.

As used herein, the term “promotion” may include, but is not limited to,any type of offered, presented or otherwise indicated reward, discount,coupon, credit, deal, incentive, discount, media or the like that isindicative of a promotional value or the like that upon purchase oracceptance results in the issuance of a promotion that may be usedtoward at least a portion of the purchase of particular goods, servicesand/or experiences defined by the promotion. For example, using amassage company as the example provider, a promotion may be $25 for $50toward a massage.

In some embodiments, a promotional system may include a promotion thatmay not be currently available for purchase along with the one or morepromotions that are currently available. For example, a promotion for“Half-off Italian Dinner from $15,” that is currently out of stock maybe requested via a promotional system, such as the promotion andmarketing system discussed herein.

As used herein, the term “provider” may include, but is not limited to,a merchant, business owner, consigner, shopkeeper, tradesperson, vender,operator, entrepreneur, agent, dealer, organization or the like that isin the business of providing a good, service or experience to aconsumer, facilitating the provision of a good, service or experience toa consumer and/or otherwise operating in the stream of commerce. Oneexample provider may be a massage company that sells massages for use bya person who engages in wellness activities.

In some embodiments, a promotional system may include a provider thatcurrently may not offer a promotion for purchase along with the one ormore providers that are currently offering promotions. For example, aprovider may be a sushi restaurant that currently does not offerpromotions for purchase. A consumer may request via a promotional systemto receive promotions from the sushi restaurant.

As used herein, the term “impression” may include a communication, adisplay, or other perceived indication, such as a flyer, print media,e-mail, text message, application alert, mobile applications, other typeof electronic interface or distribution channel and/or the like, of oneor more promotions. For example, and using the aforementioned massagecompany as the example provider, an e-mail communication sent toconsumers that indicates the availability of a promotion of $25 for $50toward a massage.

As used herein, the term “promotion and marketing service” may include aservice that is accessible via one or more computing devices and isoperable to provide example promotion and/or marketing services onbehalf of one or more providers that are offering one or more promotionsthat are redeemable for goods, services, experiences and/or the like. Insome examples, the promotion and marketing service may take the form ofa redemption authority, a payment processor, a rewards provider, anentity in a financial network, a promoter, an agent and/or the like. Assuch, the service is, in some example embodiments, configured to presentone or more promotions via one or more impressions, accept payments forpromotions from consumers, issue promotions upon acceptance of an offer,participate in redemption, generate rewards, provide a point of saledevice or service, issue payments to providers and/or or otherwiseparticipate in the exchange of goods, services or experiences forcurrency, value and/or the like.

As used herein, the term “consumer request” may include a requestentered via a promotional system by a consumer to purchase a promotion,receive promotions from a provider, and/or the like. For example, aconsumer request may be for a promotion, such as $25 toward the purchaseof a $50 massage, or to receive promotions from a provider, such as asushi restaurant that currently does not offer promotions via thepromotional system. In some examples, a consumer request may take theform of a an indication to add to a requested or otherwise interestingpromotion or provider wishlist, the wishlist being a listing ofrequested promotions that a user or consumer may be interested inpurchasing, or a listing of one or more providers that a consumer may bewatching or otherwise interested in an instance in which the one or moreproviders offer a promotion.

OVERVIEW

The methods, apparatus and computer program products described hereinare operable to manage or otherwise ascertain demand in a promotionalsystem by implementing and/or otherwise executing a request module,orientation module, distribution module, and/or the like. A promotionaland marketing system, such as the promotional system described herein,may be configured to receive requests, via the request module, from asource, such as a consumer (e.g., a client, customer, purchaser,shopper, user or the like who may be in the position to or does exchangevalue for one or more promotions). For example, an individual who isinterested in purchasing a future massage from a massage company may adda promotion for a massage to a consumer demand list (e.g. a wishlist)via the request module.

As used herein, the term “consumer demand list” may include anenumeration, list, inventory, index, directory, record, catalog, and/orthe like of one or more promotions, providers, and/or the like that areof interest to the particular consumer. The consumer may enter aconsumer request for a promotion, provider, and/or the like, such as viathe request module, which may result in an update to a consumer demandlist. In some embodiments, a consumer may receive notifications via thepromotional system, such as, when the promotion becomes available forpurchase, the provider offers a promotion for purchase, and/or the like.For example, using the aforementioned sushi restaurant example, thepromotional system may then update a consumer demand list when the sushirestaurant offers a promotion for purchase. Further, a consumer mayreceive notification when the sushi restaurant offers a promotion forpurchase.

Such received consumer requests may also be used by the promotionalsystem, via the orientation module, to generate an aggregated list ofconsumer requests across the promotion and marketing service, in a givenregion, in a hyper local area and/or the like. In one exampleembodiment, promotional systems structured as discussed herein areconfigured to generate an aggregated list of requested promotions and/orrequested providers of such received requested promotions and/orrequested providers. As such, and by aggregating the various consumerrequests, the promotion system may ascertain demand for particularproviders, promotions and/or both.

The “aggregated list” may include a group of one or more categories,sub-categories, services, etc. Categories, sub-categories, and/orservices may include food, dining, health and beauty, entertainment,location, consumer interest, providers, and/or the like. For example, anaggregated list of 15 massage promotions may be defined having acategory “health and beauty,” sub-category “spa,” service “30 minutemassage,” service “90 minute massage,” and/or the like. Thus, in someexamples, demand may be ascertained for one or more categories,sub-categories, services, experiences, goods or the like.

In further examples, such aggregated lists may then be ranked by thepromotional system via the orientation module, such as, for example, todetermine the items on the list that have a higher demand when comparedto other items on the list. In another embodiment, the promotionalsystem may generate a ranked list of requested promotions and/orrequested providers. As used herein, the term “ranked list” may includea list of relationships as between one or more items such that, for anytwo items, one item is ranked higher than the other, lower than theother, equal to the other, etc. Further, a ranked list includingconsumer requests may provide an example ordering in which sales callsmay be made, consumer interest may be gaged, and/or the like.

In some examples, a ranked list may include assigned promotion scoresand/or provider scores. A “promotion score” may include a score assignedto a promotion based on promotion availability, consumer requests,seasonality, and/or the like. The term “provider score” may include areview score, a competitor promotion score, a prior performance ofrelated providers score, a geographic score, and/or the like. Referringto the massage example above, service “90 minute massage” may berequested by 10 consumers including an assignment of “1” to eachrequested promotion yielding a promotion score of 10. Service “30 minutemassage” may be requested by 5 consumers including an assignment of “1”to each requested promotion yielding a promotion score of 5. The “30minute massage” with a promotion score of 5 may be ranked lower than the“90 minute massage” with the promotion score of 10 on the ranked list.

In an example embodiment, the aggregated lists, ranked lists or the likemay then be programmatically distributed via the distribution module toat least one sales resource (e.g., a sales person, group, business,and/or the like engaged in producing sales). In some examples, thedistribution may be dynamically allocated and/or modified based oncurrent resources, need, business objectives, and/or the like. In someexamples, determination of demand, adjustment of the demand according tosupply and the assigning of one or more sales leads are furtherdiscussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,445 filed on Mar.14, 2013, which is incorporated by reference as if set forth in itsentirety herein.

In yet another embodiment, distributing the ranked list may includeallocating, deallocating, reallocating, dividing, and/or the like atleast one ranked list to a sales resource. A ranked list may bedeallocated should the requests for promotions and/or providers besupplied, the promotion becomes available for purchase, demand changes,etc. Additionally, or alternatively, a rank list may be reallocated if,for example, the ranked list resides in a queue for a period of time, aresource is unable to get the consumer requests filled, a resource isunavailable, etc. For example, the ranked list of massages may beallocated and, thereby, displayed in an application to be accessed byResource A. Resource A may use the ranked list to demonstrate to aprovider a demand for the provider's products, services, or the likeamong identified consumers. Alternatively, or additionally, Resource Amay connect with a provider associated with the requested promotion tofill one or more consumer requests for a promotion. The ranked list maybe deallocated from Resource A should consumer requests for a promotion,such as a “90 minute massage,” become available for purchase. Further,the ranked list may be reallocated from Resource A to Resource B whenResource A is unable to get the consumer requests filled.

As described in greater detail below, various example embodiments of theinvention provide solutions for each of the above scenarios that utilizeconsumer requests as signals to ascertain demand and/or otherwise informpromotional systems.

Example System Architecture

Disclosed are various systems, methods, apparatus, and computer programproducts for utilizing a consumer request as a signal to manage, orotherwise ascertain, demand in a promotional and marketing system, suchas promotional system 110. Regarding promotional system 110, FIG. 1depicts an example schematic block diagram of circuitry, some or all ofwhich may be included in an example embodiment. System 100 may includeone or more devices and sub-systems that are configured to implementsome of the example embodiments discussed herein. For example, system100 may include promotional system 110, which may include, for example,memory 115, a processor 145, communication interface 155, andinput/output module 150. Memory 115 may include request module 130,orientation module 135, and/or distribution module 140. As referred toherein, “module” includes hardware, software and/or firmware configuredto perform one or more particular functions. In this regard, the meansof the device's circuitry as described herein may be embodied as, forexample, circuitry, hardware elements (e.g., a suitably programmedprocessor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computerprogram product comprising computer-readable program instructions storedon a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 115) that isexecutable by a suitably configured processing device (e.g., processor145), or some combination thereof.

The promotional system 110 may comprise one or more distinct computingsystems/devices and may span distributed locations. In other exampleembodiments, a pre-processing module or other module that requires heavycomputational load may be configured to perform that computational loadand thus may be on a remote device or server. Furthermore, each blockshown may represent one or more such blocks as appropriate to a specificexample embodiment. In some cases one or more of the blocks may becombined with other blocks.

Processor 145 may, for example, be embodied as various means includingone or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signalprocessor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digitalsignal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-coreprocessors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or morecomputers, various other processing elements including integratedcircuits such as, for example, an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), or somecombination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in FIG. 1 as asingle processor, in some embodiments, processor 145 comprises aplurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be embodied ona single computing device or may be distributed across a plurality ofcomputing devices collectively. The plurality of processors may be inoperative communication with each other and may collectively beconfigured to perform one or more functionalities of a promotionalsystem as described herein. In an example embodiment, processor 145 maybe configured to execute instructions stored in memory 115 or otherwiseaccessible to processor 145. These instructions, when executed byprocessor 145, may cause promotional system 110 to perform one or moreof the functionalities as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by acombination thereof, processor 145 may comprise an entity capable ofperforming operations according to embodiments of the present inventionwhile configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when processor 145 isembodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, processor 145 may comprisespecifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operationsdescribed herein. Alternatively, as another example, when processor 145is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored inmemory 115, the instructions may specifically configure processor 145 toperform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Memory 115 may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, or some combination thereof. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as asingle memory, memory 115 may comprise a plurality of memory components.The plurality of memory components may be embodied on a single computingdevice or distributed across a plurality of computing devices. Invarious embodiments, memory 115 may comprise, for example, a hard disk,random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compact disc readonly memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM),an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or somecombination thereof. Memory 115 may be configured to store information,data (including promotion data, provider data, orientation data, and/ordistribution data), applications, instructions, or the like for enablingpromotional system 110 to carry out various functions in accordance withexample embodiments of the present invention.

In at least some embodiments, memory 115 may be configured to bufferinput data for processing by processor 145. Alternatively oradditionally, in at least some embodiments, memory 115 may be configuredto store program instructions for execution by processor 145. Memory 115may store information in the form of static and/or dynamic information.This stored information may be stored and/or used by consumer device 165or provider device 170 during the course of performing itsfunctionalities.

As may be understood from FIG. 1 in this embodiment, the system 100includes one or more consumer devices 165 and/or provider devices 170that are connected, via a network 160 (e.g., a LAN or the Internet), tocommunicate with the promotional system. The consumer device 165 and theprovider device 170 are merely shown to illustrate the potential formultiplicity in relation to the number of devices that may interfacewith the promotional system. Thus, some embodiments may employ only oneof consumer device 165 and provider device 170, while other embodimentsmay employ two or more such devices.

In an example embodiment, either or both of consumer device 165 andprovider device 170 may be a personal computer (PC) or a laptop computerassociated with a particular individual or organization. For example,one or more computers may be associated with consumers and another oneor more computers may be associated with a provider or another entity.However, in other cases, either or both of consumer device 165 andprovider device 170 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), mobiletelephone (or smart phone), or a client terminal associated with aprovider or other entity. As such, in some cases, consumer device 165 orprovider device 170 may represent a terminal for allowing a user tointerface with the promotional system 110.

Communication interface 155 may be embodied as any device or meansembodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprisingcomputer readable program instructions stored on a computer readablemedium (e.g., memory 115) and executed by a processing device (e.g.,processor 145), or a combination thereof that may be configured toreceive and/or transmit data from/to another device, such as, forexample, consumer device 165, provider device 170, and/or the like. Insome embodiments, communication interface 155 (like other componentsdiscussed herein) can be at least partially embodied as or otherwisecontrolled by processor 145. In this regard, communication interface 155may be in communication with processor 145, such as via a bus.Communication interface 155 may include, for example, an antenna, atransmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, network interface card and/orsupporting hardware and/or firmware/software for enabling communicationswith another computing device. Communication interface 155 may beconfigured to receive and/or transmit any data that may be stored bymemory 115 using any protocol that may be used for communicationsbetween computing devices. Communication interface 155 may,alternatively or additionally, be in communication with the memory 115,input/output module 150 and/or any other component of promotional system110, such as via a bus.

Input/output module 150 may be in communication with processor 145 toreceive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible,visual, mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, input/outputmodule 150 may include support, for example, for a keyboard, a mouse, ajoystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, aRFID reader, credit card reader, barcode reader, biometric scanner,and/or other input/output mechanisms as represented by input/outputmodule 150. Input/output module 150 may be in communication with thememory 115, communication interface 155, and/or any other component(s),such as via a bus. Although more than one input/output module and/orother component can be included in promotional system 110, only one isshown in FIG. 1 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing (like the othercomponents discussed herein).

FIG. 1 also shows an example circuitry that may be included inpromotional system 110, which may be configured to perform thefunctionality discussed herein. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and inaccordance with some example embodiments, promotional system 110 mayinclude various means, such as request module 130, orientation module135, and/or distribution module 140.

Request module 130 may be included and configured to perform thefunctionality discussed herein related to receiving requested promotionsand/or requested providers from one or more consumers. In someembodiments, the requested promotions may be defined by or otherwiseorganized into a taxonomy or hierarchy. The taxonomy or hierarchy maycategorize the one or more promotions using category or a sub-categorythat identifies a service or product, a price, and at least onelocation. In another embodiment, some or all of the functionality ofreceiving, identifying, and/or indicating requested promotions and/orrequested providers may be generated by processor 145. For example,non-transitory computer readable media can be configured to storefirmware, one or more application programs, and/or other software, whichinclude instructions and other computer-readable program code portionsthat can be executed to control each processor (e.g., processor 145and/or request module 130) of the components of promotional system 110to implement various operations, including the examples shown above. Assuch, a series of computer-readable program code portions are embodiedin one or more computer program products and can be used, with acomputing device, server, and/or other programmable apparatus, toproduce machine-implemented processes.

For example, request module 130 may be configured to receive requestedpromotion data, and/or requested provider data, such as from a consumer.The consumer may request a promotion and/or provider for addition to aconsumer demand list via a link, button, icon, requesting to add to awishlist, request form, communication, text, and/or the like displayedas output by input/output module 150. In some embodiments, a link,button, icon, request form, communication, text, and/or the like may bepresented to a consumer along with a promotion. In other embodiments, amessage, pop-up, screen tip, and/or the like displayed via a screenprovided by, for example, input/output module 150 may assist theconsumer in requesting a promotion and/or provider.

The request module 130 may also be configured to indicate to at leastone consumer at least one promotion or provider in response to arequest. The request for a promotion or provider may be achieved by wayof a consumer querying a database (e.g., database 120) by entering asearch, browsed selections, and/or the like via input/output module 150.For example, a consumer may enter a request, via a search, for XYZPizza. In response to the search, request module 130 may cause thescreen to indicate that no promotions were located matching the search.In addition, the consumer may be presented with an option to add thesearch, a particular provider, or a particular promotion as a consumerrequest.

Further, request module 130 may also be configured to access programs125 that may update the consumer demand list with the consumer request.In example embodiments, request module 130 may indicate, to theconsumer, the consumer request as associated with the consumer demandlist via a notification such as, a communication, a text message, alink, an icon, a button, and/or the like. A consumer may be presentedwith the option to remove, view, purchase, prioritize, favorite, share,etc. a requested promotion and/or provider via a screen displaying aconsumer demand list. For example, a consumer who selects a promotionfor ABC Burger for addition to a consumer demand list may view thatparticular promotion via a consumer demand list as provided byinput/output module 150. In other embodiments, request module 130 maynotify a consumer when the promotion on a consumer demand list isavailable and/or the provider on a consumer demand list offers apromotion. For example, input/output module 150 may display anotification via a screen that the promotion for ABC Burger previouslyadded to the consumer demand list is currently available. Althoughrequest module 130 is shown as being a single module included in singlepromotional system 110, request module 130 (like other devices andcomponents discussed herein) can be embodied as a plurality ofdistributed systems, apparatuses, and/or any other suitable machine(s).

Orientation module 135 may be configured to generate an aggregated listof requested providers and/or requested promotions from databases 120.In order to generate an aggregated list, orientation module 135 may beconfigured to receive requested promotions and/or requested providersbased in part on the consumer request received via request module 130.Orientation module 135 may, in some example embodiments, be configuredto aggregate or combine one or more of the consumer requests in order todetermine or otherwise ascertain demand information. For example, byaggregating consumer requests from across Wrigleyville, the system mayderive a particular demand for a promotion or a provider. As such, thepromotions and provider requests received as consumer requests may becombined, aggregated or otherwise counted to generate a demandindication or to otherwise ascertain demand.

Alternatively or additionally, orientation module 135 may be configuredto rank the aggregated list of at least one consumer request. The rankedlists may be stored in memory 115, databases 120, and/or the like. Insome embodiments, a promotion score may be assigned to each of therequested promotions. A promotion score may include a score assigned toa promotion based on promotion availability, consumer requests,seasonality, and/or the like. For example, an aggregated list of 15massage promotions may have a category “health and beauty,” sub-category“spa,” service “30 minute massage,” service “90 minute massage,” and/orthe like. Service “90 minute massage” may have been requested by 10consumers yielding an assignment of “1” to each request giving service“90 minute massage” a total promotion score of 10. Service “30 minutemassage” may have been requested by 5 consumers yielding an assignmentof “1” to each request giving service “30 minute massage” a totalpromotion score of 5.

In other embodiments, orientation module 135 may be configured to assigna provider score to each of the requested providers. The provider scoremay comprise a review score, competitor promotion score, priorperformance of related providers score, geographic score, and/or thelike. For example, 12 providers may be assigned 12 provider scores basedin part on the review score each provider received on a review website.

Additionally, or alternatively, orientation module 135 may be configuredto generate a ranked list by ordering the requested promotion and/orrequested provider based in part on the promotion score and/or providerscore assigned to each of the requested promotions and/or requestedproviders. For example, orientation module 135 may rank a “30 minutemassage” with a promotion score of 5 (e.g. based on requests received by5 consumers) lower than a “90 minute massage” with a promotion score of10 (e.g. based on requests received by 10 consumers). Althoughorientation module 135 is shown as being a single module included insingle promotional system 110, orientation module 135 (like otherdevices and components discussed herein) can be embodied as a pluralityof distributed systems, apparatuses, and/or any other suitablemachine(s).

Distribution module 140 may be configured to cause, by a processor(e.g., processor 145), at least one ranked list to be distributed to atleast one sales resource. In order to cause the ranked list to bedistributed, distribution module 140 may receive the ranked listsgenerated via orientation module 135. The ranked lists may comprise oneor more requested providers and/or requested promotions. In an exampleembodiment, distribution module 140 may further be configured toallocate, using a processor (e.g., processor 145), at least one rankedlists to at least one sales resource. In some embodiments, the rankedlists may be deallocated from a sales resource. In other embodiments,the ranked list may be reallocated to another sales resource. Althoughdistribution module 140 is shown as being a single module included insingle promotional system 110, distribution module 140 (like otherdevices and components discussed herein) can be embodied as a pluralityof distributed systems, apparatuses, and/or any other suitablemachine(s).

In some examples, the distribution module 140 may be configured to usethe aggregated list, ranked list or the like as a signal for demand. Insome examples, this demand may be usable by a sales resource to assistin the sale of the promotion by demonstrating to a provider a high levelof interest in a promotion or a provider in the local area. For example,a provider may be more likely, and in some cases be more profitable, ifthere is a high demand for the particular service. In other examples, ahigh demand for services, based on consumer requests, and a provideroffering the same or similar promotion may suggest that the currentprovider lacks the quality required by the market.

Indeed, in some examples, the use of the demand information may lead tothe opening of new providers or for providers to add additionalservices. Alternatively or additionally, the demand information that issuggested by the aggregated list, the ranked list or the like mightsuggest redemption parameters, margin for the promotion and marketingsystem, deal structure and/or the like. In further examples, theaggregated list, the ranked list or the like may be feed into a salessystem, such as the sales system described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/803,445, to simulate or otherwise inform demand. In someexamples, demand information may be used to directly inform providers ofdemand that may be undeveloped, unrealized, unused, untapped, latent,etc. In such example embodiments, consumer requests may be distributedto providers without distributing the consumer requests to a salesresource. For example, in a workflow that enabled a provider to build orotherwise design a promotion, latent demand information may be presentedto the provider to help them design a promotion, influence projectedreturn on investment for the promotion and/or the like. Alternatively oradditionally, demand information may inform purchasing decisions forgoods to be offered by the promotion and marketing service.

Alternatively or additionally, the aggregated list, ranked list or thelike may be configured to determine a forecasted demand for promotions.The forecasted demand provides or otherwise enables a prediction ofthose promotions that a consumer will likely purchase if offered, and,as such, enables the prioritization of the sales of the forecasted ordemanded offers, which may result in greater interest, revenue, highermargin, offer diversity and/or the like.

In some examples, however, one or more demanded offers may already bepresent in an inventory. In such examples, the method, apparatus andcomputer program product described herein is operable to modify orotherwise adjust the demand to account for a current inventory ofoffers. Other adjustments may also be performed, based on seasonality,economic conditions, geography, climate and/or the like.

Once a set of adjustments has been performed, in some exampleembodiments, one or more providers may be identified that may providethe demanded offer. Providers that provide the same or similar goods,services or experiences may be matched or otherwise assigned to thedemanded offers. As such, a provider may be assigned zero or morevirtual offers.

Using a series of ranking metrics described herein, the providers may beranked. In some examples, the ranking may be based on expected revenue,business objectives, sales timeline, sales probability, merchantdiversity, offer diversity and/or the like. In some examples, the rankedlist may provide an example ordering in which sales calls may be made.

The ranked list of providers may then be programmatically assigned toone or more sales resources, such as a sales representative, a salescontractor, a marketing person or team, an email distribution list, aself-service tool, or the like. In some examples, the assignment may bedynamically modified based on current resources, need, diversity,probability to close, time to close, business objectives and/or thelike, while in other examples an assignment may be removed in aninstance in which there is no longer a demand for the particularservice, good or experience provided by the particular provider.Alternatively or additionally, each provider or demanded offer may beassigned a value, in such cases the value may be suggestive of a bountyor reward system, such as a commission or a bonus for the salesresource.

Alternatively or additionally, the consumer demand list, the rankedlist, the aggregated list, the consumer request or like may feed one ormore relevance systems. Relevance may include an analysis to determinewhich promotion(s) to offer to the consumer for a product or a service.According to another embodiment, a relevance system may be configuredfor determining which of a plurality of consumer promotions to presentto a consumer. The plurality of promotions may be for goods and or forservices.

A method for determining relevance may comprise accessing, in at leastone memory, consumer data associated with the consumer, accessing, inthe at least one memory, deal data associated with the plurality ofconsumer promotions (e.g., historical promotions, current promotions ona consumer demand list, and/or the like), scoring the plurality ofconsumer promotions by using part or all of the consumer data and partor all of the deal data, re-scoring the plurality of consumer promotionsusing the same or different consumer data used to score the plurality ofconsumer deals, and determining, using at least one processor, which ofthe plurality of consumer promotions to present to the consumer based onthe re-scoring of the plurality of consumer promotions.

In some embodiments, the same or different consumer data may be used toscore the plurality of promotions as to re-score the plurality ofpromotions. Further, the same or different promotion data may be used toscore the plurality of consumer promotions as to re-score the pluralityof consumer promotions. For example, consumer location data may be usedto score the plurality of consumer promotions, and to re-score theplurality of promotions. As another example, consumer data other thanconsumer previous purchase data may be used to score the plurality ofconsumer promotions, and consumer previous purchase data may be used tore-score the plurality of promotions. Further, the scoring of theplurality of promotions may be performed using a scoring model, and there-scoring may be done without a different model or with a correctionfactor. In some embodiments, the scoring of the plurality of promotionsmay be performed using no scoring model (such as a correction factor),and the re-scoring may be done using a scoring model. Other examplerelevance systems may be found in each of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/411,502, filed Mar. 2, 2012, titled “RELEVANCE SYSTEM FORCONSUMER DEALS”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/829,581 entitled“Promotion Offering System” and filed on Mar. 14, 2013, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/776,028, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,355,948, titled“SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR DISCOUNT RETAILING” filed on May 7, 2010, eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference, algorithms are providedfor matching consumers to relevant promotions.

Alternatively or additionally, the consumer demand list, the rankedlist, the aggregated list, the consumer request or like may not only beused in providing greater relevance ranking for promotions in a similarcategory to those on the consumers' wishlist, but may be used as ageographic input for relevance data. For example, if consumer is knownto like a pizza place of a similar quality and similar geography (e.g.,based on historic data), a prediction may be made that the same consumermay be interested in filing a latent demand signaled by a wishlistselection with a pizza place in the same neighborhood as anotherpotential promotion. For example, a pizza promotion for a night thatalready included a movie in the geographical area.

By way of further example, FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates anexemplary process for ascertaining demand in, for example, promotionalsystem 110. In general, the process 200 may receive consumer requestdata, via request module 130, for one or more requested promotionsstored in a promotion database (e.g. promotion database 230) and/orrequested providers stored in a provider database (e.g. providerdatabase 220). The consumer request illustrates and/or otherwiseidentifies the promotions and/or providers a consumer may be willing topurchase and/or patronize. For example, one or more consumers, such as15 consumers, may request to add a promotion for a product or service(e.g. $25 for $50 toward a massage) to a consumer demand list.

In order to ascertain demand, orientation module 130 may be configuredto generate at least one aggregated list of one or more requestedpromotions and/or requested providers received via, for example, requestmodule 130. Orientation module 135 may aggregate at least one requestedpromotion and/or provider via aggregation module 240 to generate theaggregated list. Aggregation module 240 may be configured to aggregateone or more requested promotions and/or providers using a definedhierarchy or taxonomy that relates the one or more promotions, forexample, into one or more categories, sub-categories, services, and/orthe like that identifies a service or product, a price, and at least onelocation. In some embodiments, orientation module 135 may receiveconsumer request data from consumer database 210 via request module 130.Alternatively, orientation module 135 may receive consumer request datafrom provider database 220, promotion database 230, and/or the like viarequest module 130. Further orientation module 135 may be configured tostore the aggregated data in, for example, aggregation module 240,memory 115, and/or the like.

For example, request module 130 may have received 15 massage promotionrequests (e.g. requested promotions) as defined in consumer database210. The aggregated list of the massage promotions generated viaorientation module 135 may be defined within aggregation module 240 ashaving a category “health and beauty,” sub-category “spa,” service “30minute massage,” service “90 minute massage,” and/or the like.

In some example embodiments, promotional system 110 may be configured torank the aggregated list of at least one consumer request viaorientation module 135. The ranking may be based, in part, on theconsumer request, geographic data, and/or the like. Orientation module135 may further be configured to assign (e.g. using ranking module 250)a promotion score to each of the one or more requested promotions. Thepromotion score may include a score assigned to a promotion based onpromotion availability, consumer requests, seasonality, etc. In someembodiments, orientation module 135 may assign (e.g. using rankingmodule 250) a provider score to each of the one or more requestedproviders. The provider score may include a review score, competitorpromotion score, prior performance of related providers score,geographic score, etc. As illustrated in some embodiments, orientationmodule 135 may generate one or more ranked lists of at least oneconsumer request. Further orientation module 135 may be configured tostore the ranked list in, for example, memory 115, ranking module 250,and/or the like.

For example, service “90 minute massage” (requested by 10 consumers) maybe assigned a “1” for each consumer request by ranking module 250, viaorientation module 135, yielding a promotion score of 10. Service “30minute massage” (requested by 5 consumers) may yield a promotion scoreof 5. Orientation module 135 may generate a ranked list that includesthe “30 minute massage” with a promotion score of 5 ranked lower thanthe “90 minute massage” with the promotion score of 10. The ranked listof massage promotions may be stored in memory 115, ranking module 250,and/or the like.

In some example embodiments, promotional system 110 may be configured togeographically rank the aggregated list of at least one consumer requestvia orientation module 135. For example, one or more consumer requestsfor a massage at Massage Company A in Wicker Park may cause apromotional system, such as promotional system 110, to assign a providerscore, based in part on a geographic score, to the massage companieslocated within a determined range of Wicker Park. Massage Company Blocated within two miles of Wicker Park may be assigned a provider scoreof 20, while Massage Company C located within five miles of Wicker Parkmay be assigned a provider score of 10. Orientation module 135 maygenerate a ranked list that includes “Massage Company B” with a providerscore of 20 ranked higher than “Massage Company C” with a provider scoreof 10. The ranked list of massage providers may be stored in memory 115,ranking module 250, and/or the like.

In another example embodiment, distribution module 140 may be configuredto cause, by a processor (e.g. processor 145), one or more ranked liststo be distributed via a promotional system (e.g. promotional system110), to at least one sales resource 270. The ranked lists in exampleembodiments may include one or more requested promotions and/or one ormore requested providers. Distribution module 140 may be configured toallocate one or more ranked lists to at least one first sales resource270. Further, distribution module 140 may deallocate the one or moreranked lists from the first sales resource 270. In some embodiments,distribution module 140 may further be configured to reallocate the oneor more ranked lists to a second sales resource 270.

For example, distribution module 140 may cause the ranked list to beallocated to Resource A. The distribution module 140 may deallocate oneor more ranked lists including consumer requests for “90 minute massage”should the promotional demand be supplied, the promotion becomesavailable for purchase, demand declines, etc. Distribution module 140may reallocate one or more ranked lists including consumer requests for“90 minute massage” to Resource B if, for example, the ranked listresides in a queue for Resource A for a period of time, Resource A isunable to get the consumer requests filled, Resource A is unavailable,etc.

Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, the aggregated list,ranked list or the like may be used to inform an inventory managementprocess. For example, the lists may be used to suggest the number ofpromotions to have in inventory for an upcoming time period so that thepromotions are available to satisfy a perceived demand as indicated bythe aggregated list, the ranked list or the like.

Process for Receiving Consumer Requests

FIG. 3 shows an example method, namely process 300, that may be executedby one or more machines (some examples of which are discussed inconnection with FIGS. 1 and/or 2) to receive a consumer request for oneor more requested promotions and/or requested providers. As shown inblock 310, an apparatus such as promotional system 110, may includemeans, such as request module 130, processor 145, or the like forindicating a promotion and/or a provider in response to a request from,for example, at least one consumer. The request may be achieved in partby, for example, a search, browsed selections, and/or the like. Inanother embodiment, an indication of one or more promotions and/orproviders may be achieved via an impression which may take the form ofprint media, e-mail, text message, application alert, mobileapplications, or the like. For example, an application alert sent toconsumers that indicates the availability of a promotion of $5 for $10toward a meal at ABC Burger.

As shown in block 320 of FIG. 3, the promotional system 110, may includemeans, such as request module 130, processor 145, or the like forreceiving one or more consumer requests for one or more requestedpromotions and/or requested providers. Receiving, via request module130, at least one consumer request may be accomplished based in part ondata that is retrieved from consumer database 210, provider database220, and/or promotion database 230. In some embodiments, request module130 may receive a consumer request via a link, button, icon, requestform, communication, text, and/or the like presented along with apromotion to a consumer. In other embodiments, a message, pop-up, screentip, and/or the like displayed via a screen provided by, for example,input/output module 150 may assist a consumer in requesting a promotionand/or provider. In another example embodiment, a consumer may add oneor more promotions and/or providers to a consumer demand list via anicon, such as a thumbs up icon. For example, request module 130 mayreceive a request for a promotion of $5 for $10 toward a meal at ABCBurger via a consumer selection of a button entitled, for example, “Addto Wishlist.” In another example, request module 130 may receive arequest for a promotion of $5 for $10 toward a meal at ABC Burger via aconsumer selection of an icon, for example, a thumbs up icon.

As shown in block 330 of FIG. 3, the promotional system 110, may includemeans, such as request module 130, the processor 145, or the like forupdating a consumer demand list with the consumer request. In general, aconsumer demand list may be updated by storing, in databases 120,consumer request data in the consumer demand list.

As shown in block 340 of FIG. 3, the promotional system 110, may includemeans, such as request module 130, processor 145, or the like forindicating the consumer request is associated with the consumer demandlist. Indicating the consumer request is associated with the consumerdemand list may be accomplished via a notification. In some exampleembodiments, the notification comprises a communication, text message,link, icon, button, and/or the like. In other embodiments, requestmodule 130 may notify a consumer when the promotion on a consumer demandlist is available and/or the provider on a consumer demand list offers apromotion. For example, input/output module 150 may display anotification, such as “The promotions on your Wishlist are currentlyavailable,” via a screen that includes the promotion for ABC Burgerpreviously added to the consumer demand list.

Process for Orienting Consumer Requests

FIG. 4 shows an example method, namely process 400, that may be executedby one or more machines (some examples of which are discussed inconnection with FIGS. 1 and/or 2) to generate an aggregated list inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein. As shown in block410, an apparatus such as promotional system 110, may include means,such as orientation module 135 and processor 145 or the like foraggregating consumer request data. In some embodiments, promotionalsystem 110, may further include means, such as orientation module 135and processor 145 or the like for ranking consumer request data.

In general, one or more requested promotions and/or one or morerequested providers associated with the consumer request may bereceived, for example as in block 410.

As shown in block 420 of FIG. 4, an apparatus, such as promotionalsystem 110, may include means, such as the orientation module 135 andprocessor 145 or the like for aggregating at least one of the requestedpromotions and/or requested providers. In some embodiments, aggregatingthe requested promotions and/or requested providers may be accomplishedby directing, by a processor (e.g. processor 145), the requestedpromotions and/or requested providers to one or more categories,sub-categories, services, etc. For example, as illustrated above, anaggregated list of 15 massage promotions may be defined having acategory “health and beauty,” sub-category “spa,” service “30 minutemassage,” service “90 minute massage,” and/or the like.

As shown in block 430 of FIG. 4, an apparatus, such as promotionalsystem 110, may include means, such as the orientation module 135 andprocessor 145 for assigning a promotion score to each of the one or morerequested promotions. The promotion score may include a score assignedto a promotion based on promotion availability, consumer requests,seasonality, and/or the like. Referring to the massage example, service“90 minute massage” may be requested by 10 consumers including anassignment of “1” to each requested promotion. Service “30 minutemassage” may be requested by 5 consumers including an assignment of “1”to each requested promotion.

In some example embodiments, a provider score may be assigned to each ofthe requested providers as shown in 440 of FIG. 4. The provider scoremay comprise a review score, competitor promotion score, priorperformance of related providers score, geographic score, and/or thelike. The requested promotion data and/or requested provider data may bestored in a database (e.g., ranking module 250) by for example,orientation module 135. Alternatively, requested promotion data and/orrequested provider data may be stored in memory (e.g., a local memory, aremote memory or the like), such as memory 115, by, for example,orientation module 135.

As shown in block 450 of FIG. 4, an apparatus, such as promotionalsystem 110, may include means, such as orientation module 135 andprocessor 145 for calculating the promotion score and/or provider scoreassigned to each of the requested promotions and/or requested providers.For example, orientation module 135 may calculate a promotion score of10 for service “90 minute massage” requested by 10 consumers thatincludes an assignment of “1” to each requested promotion. Orientationmodule 135 may calculate a promotion score of 5 for service “30 minutemassage” requested by 5 consumers that includes an assignment of “1” toeach requested promotion.

As shown in block 460 of FIG. 4, an apparatus, such as promotionalsystem 110, may include means, such as orientation module 135 andprocessor 145 for ranking each of the requested promotions and/orrequested providers. In some example embodiments, the requestedpromotions and/or requested providers may be ranked in part by calendardata (e.g. date, season, days, weeks, months), the calculated promotionscore, and/or the calculated provider score assigned to each of therequested promotions and/or requested providers. The ranked listgenerated by orientation module 135 may be ranked by ordering therequested promotions and/or requested providers. The ranked list mayinclude a list of relationships as between one or more items (e.g.,requested promotions and/or requested providers) such that one item isranked higher than the other, lower than the other, equal to the other,etc. For example, the “90 minute massage” with the promotion score of 10may be ranked higher than the “30 minute massage” with a promotion scoreof 5 on the ranked list. In other examples, if a consumer request forthe “90 minute massage” was received on Sep. 30, 2013 and a consumerrequest for the “30 minute massage” was received on Oct. 1, 2013,orientation module 135 may rank either promotion higher or lower thanthe other. In some examples, the ranking may decay overtime based on thelength a promotion or provider is requested without the requested dealbeing purchased. The ranked list may provide an example ordering inwhich sales calls may be made, consumer interest may be gaged, and/orthe like.

Process for Causing Distribution of Ranked List

FIG. 5 shows an example method, namely process 500, that may be executedby one or more machines (some examples of which are discussed inconnection with FIGS. 1 and/or 2) to cause one or more ranked lists tobe distributed for use by at least one sales resource. As shown in block510 of FIG. 5, an apparatus, such as the promotional system 110, mayinclude means, such as the distribution module 140, the processor 145,the communication interface 155, or the like, for receiving one or moreranked lists. In some example embodiments, ranked lists may comprise oneor more requested promotions and/or one or more requested providers.

As shown in block 520 of FIG. 5, an apparatus, such as the promotionalsystem 110, may include means, such as distribution module 140,processor 145, communication interface 155 or the like, for allocatingthe one or more ranked lists to at least one sales resource. Thedistribution may be dynamically allocated and/or modified based oncurrent resources, need, business objectives, and/or the like.

As shown in block 530 of FIG. 5, an apparatus, such as the promotionalsystem 110, may include means, such as the distribution module 140, theprocessor 145, the communication interface 155 or the like, fordeallocating the one or more ranked lists from one or more salesresources. In some example embodiments, one or more ranked lists may bedeallocated should, for example, the promotional demand be supplied, thepromotion becomes available for purchase, demand declines, etc.

As shown in block 540 of FIG. 5, an apparatus, such as the promotionalsystem 110, may include means, such as the distribution module 140, theprocessor 145, the communication interface 155 or the like, forreallocating one or more ranked lists to another sales resource. Inanother embodiment, the ranked list may be reallocated should, forexample, the ranked list reside in a queue for a sales resource over aperiod of time, a sales resource is unable to get the consumer requestsfilled, a sales resource is unavailable, etc.

FIG. 6 shows an example embodiment of a graphical user interface display610 that may be used in an example embodiment to request a promotion. Ascan be seen in FIG. 6, one or more promotions may be shown along with alink 620 and/or button 630 that when selected provides a consumerrequest to request module 130. In FIG. 6, a currently unavailablepromotion 640 for Wet Paint Chicago 650, a painting class, is shownalong with a link 620 that when selected provides a consumer request forWet Paint Chicago to the request module 130 and; thereby, adds therequested promotion for Wet Paint Chicago to a consumer demand list.Also illustrated is another exemplary embodiment of a promotion forIgnotz Ristorante 660 that includes a button 630 that when selectedprovides a consumer request to request module 130. Additionally, in thisexample embodiment, a message 670 is shown to a consumer prompting theconsumer to click the button 630 in order to receive notifications whenthe promotion becomes available. When the button 630 is selected, inthis example, a consumer request is provided to request module 130 and,thereby, the requested promotion for Ignotz Ristorante 660 is added to aconsumer demand list.

FIG. 7 shows an example graphical user interface display 710 that may beused in an example embodiment to request a provider. As can be seen inFIG. 7, a page for a provider not currently offering promotions 720,such as Kuma's Corner, may be shown along with information associatedwith the provider. Here, the information for Kuma's Corner is shownwhich includes a map 730, the address 740, and a description 750 aboutKuma's Corner. The consumer may plan a visit to Kuma's Corner and/or getdirections via a button 760. Also illustrated is a screen tip 780prompting the consumer to track providers of interest to the consumer byselecting the included button 760 (e.g., a button that facilitates theconsumer request), here entitled, “Add to Wishlist.”

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary screenshot of a request module 810. As can beseen, a consumer demand list 820 may be shown that may include one ormore requested promotions 830 and/or providers along with a description840. In some example embodiments, the consumer demand list may be atabbed page 850 within a consumer account 860 as shown here. Also shownhere are two promotions (i.e., a promotion for the New Kids on the Blockconcert and a promotion for Takashi). In other example embodiments, aconsumer may have the option of removing the New Kids on the Blockconcert via a link 870 or viewing and/or purchasing 880 the Takashipromotion.

FIG. 9 shows an example graphical user interface display 910 that may beused in an example embodiment to notify a consumer when one or moreconsumer requests are available 920. As can be seen in FIG. 9, aconsumer 930 and/or a date 940 the notification is sent may beidentified. In some example embodiments, the notification may include alisting of the available promotions 950, such as the promotion shownhere for Up to 80% Off Classes at Nature Yoga located in Wicker Park.The notification may include the distance 960 as between a provider anda location, such as “1 mile from Home” as shown. In other exampleembodiments, the notification may include a description 970 for thepromotions, such as “Highly trained instructors lead Vinyasa, Hatha, andpower yoga classes” as displayed here. The promotion listed may includean indication of consumer interest 980 by displaying the number of thatparticular promotion which has been purchased. Here, over 1,000promotions for Up to 80% Off Classes at Nature Yoga have been purchased.Further, in some embodiments, the promotional value 1000 and/or price1010 are shown. In an example embodiment, the consumer may view thepromotion via a button entitled “View Deal” as illustrated here.

As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions and/orother type of code may be loaded onto a computer, processor or otherprogrammable apparatus's circuitry to produce a machine, such that thecomputer, processor other programmable circuitry that execute the codeon the machine create the means for implementing various functions,including those described herein.

As described above and as will be appreciated based on this disclosure,embodiments of the present invention may be configured as methods,mobile devices, backend network devices, and the like. Accordingly,embodiments may comprise various means including entirely of hardware orany combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, embodiments maytake the form of a computer program product on at least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storagemedium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilizedincluding non-transitory hard disks, CD-ROMs, flash memory, opticalstorage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described above withreference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,apparatuses, systems and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the circuit diagrams and processflowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the circuit diagrams andprocess flowcharts, respectively, can be implemented by various meansincluding computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the computer program product includes theinstructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable storage device that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablestorage device produce an article of manufacture includingcomputer-readable instructions for implementing the function discussedherein. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause aseries of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions discussed herein.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. With regard tosuch flowchart illustrations, while various embodiments are described assequential steps for illustrative purposes, the inventive conceptsdescribed herein are not necessarily limited to the sequencesillustrated. Indeed, various steps may be performed before or after theother as may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view ofthe disclosure. It will also be understood that each block of thecircuit diagrams and process flowcharts, and combinations of blocks inthe circuit diagrams and process flowcharts, can be implemented byspecial purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform thespecified functions or steps, or combinations of special purposehardware and computer instructions.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseembodiments of the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventionare not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and thatmodifications and other embodiments are intended to be included withinthe scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation.

1-57. (canceled)
 58. A method comprising: providing, via a userinterface, each of one or more promotions, each of the one or morepromotion displayed with a link or a selectable button, that whenselected provides a search request; receiving, via the user interface,the search request, the search request being indicative of at least onepromotion from among the one or more promotions; performing a search ofa promotion database for the at least promotion; determining, subsequentto the search of the promotion database, that the at least one promotionis not present in a current inventory and is unavailable for purchase;subsequently, due to the at least one promotion not being present in thecurrent inventory, updating, in the promotion database, a consumerspecific demand list, the consumer specific demand list comprised ofeach of one or more requested promotions that (a) were previouslysearched for, (b) determined not to be present in the current inventoryat the time of the previous searching and (c) not yet available in thecurrent inventory; subsequent to the generation of the consumer specificdemand list, determining an availability of the at least one promotion;and subsequent to the determination of the availability of the at leastone promotion, causing display of a notification, at the user interface,indicating that the at least one promotion associated with the at leastone consumer request is now available.
 59. The method of claim 58,further comprising: upon the determination of the availability of the atleast one promotion, dynamically modifying the consumer specific demandlist, in the promotion database.
 60. The method of claim 58, furthercomprising: wherein the dynamic modification comprises removing elementsof the consumer specific demand list associated with the at least onepromotion now determined to be available.
 61. The method of claim 58,further comprising: subsequent to the determination of the availabilityof the at least one promotion, updating display, at the user interface,of the consumer specific demand list to now comprise an icon or link topurchase the at least one promotion.
 62. The method of claim 58, furthercomprising: updating, in the promotion database, an aggregated list ofconsumer searched promotions, the aggregated list comprising each of oneor more requested promotions from each of a plurality of consumers. 63.The method of claim 58, further comprising: deriving a total demand forthe at least one promotion, from an amount of instances that the atleast one promotion is requested.
 64. The method of claim 58, furthercomprising: ranking the at least one promotion among each of one or moreother requested promotions; and generating one or more ranked lists, theone or more ranked lists configured for dynamic allocation to at leastone first sales resource.
 65. An apparatus comprising at least oneprocessor coupled to at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and the computer program code configuredto, with the processor, cause the processor to at least: provide, via auser interface, each of one or more promotions, each of the one or morepromotion displayed with a link or a selectable button, that whenselected provides a search request; receive, via the user interface, thesearch request, the search request being indicative of at least onepromotion from among the one or more promotions; perform a search of apromotion database for the at least promotion; determine, subsequent tothe search of the promotion database, that the at least one promotion isnot present in a current inventory and is unavailable for purchase;subsequently, due to the at least one promotion not being present in thecurrent inventory, update, in the promotion database, a consumerspecific demand list, the consumer specific demand list comprised ofeach of one or more requested promotions that (a) were previouslysearched for, (b) determined not to be present in the current inventoryat the time of the previous searching and (c) not yet available in thecurrent inventory; subsequent to the generation of the consumer specificdemand list, determine an availability of the at least one promotion;and subsequent to the determination of the availability of the at leastone promotion, cause display of a notification, at the user interface,indicating that the at least one promotion associated with the at leastone consumer request is now available.
 66. The apparatus of claim 65,wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code arefurther configured to, with the processor, cause the device to at least:upon the determination of the availability of the at least onepromotion, dynamically modify the consumer specific demand list, in thepromotion database.
 67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the dynamicmodification comprises removing elements of the consumer specific demandlist associated with the at least one promotion now determined to beavailable.
 68. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the at least onememory and the computer program code are further configured to, with theprocessor, cause the device to at least: subsequent to the determinationof the availability of the at least one promotion, update display, atthe user interface, of the consumer specific demand list to now comprisean icon or link to purchase the at least one promotion.
 69. Theapparatus of claim 65, wherein the at least one memory and the computerprogram code are further configured to, with the processor, cause thedevice to at least: update, in the promotion database, an aggregatedlist of consumer searched promotions, the aggregated list comprisingeach of one or more requested promotions from each of a plurality ofconsumers.
 70. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising: deriving atotal demand for the at least one promotion, from an amount of instancesthat the at least one promotion is requested.
 71. The apparatus of claim65, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code arefurther configured to, with the processor, cause the device to at least:rank the at least one promotion among each of one or more otherrequested promotions; and generate one or more ranked lists, the one ormore ranked lists configured for dynamic allocation to at least onefirst sales resource.
 72. A computer program product comprising at leastone non-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable program code instructions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code instructions comprising program codeinstructions to: providing, via a user interface, each of one or morepromotions, each of the one or more promotion displayed with a link or aselectable button, that when selected provides a search request;receiving, via the user interface, the search request, the searchrequest being indicative of at least one promotion from among the one ormore promotions; performing a search of a promotion database for the atleast promotion; determining, subsequent to the search of the promotiondatabase, that the at least one promotion is not present in a currentinventory and is unavailable for purchase; subsequently, due to the atleast one promotion not being present in the current inventory,updating, in the promotion database, a consumer specific demand list,the consumer specific demand list comprised of each of one or morerequested promotions that (a) were previously searched for, (b)determined not to be present in the current inventory at the time of theprevious searching and (c) not yet available in the current inventory;subsequent to the generation of the consumer specific demand list,determining an availability of the at least one promotion; andsubsequent to the determination of the availability of the at least onepromotion, causing display of a notification, at the user interface,indicating that the at least one promotion associated with the at leastone consumer request is now available.
 73. The computer program productof claim 72, further comprising: upon the determination of theavailability of the at least one promotion, dynamically modifying theconsumer specific demand list, in the promotion database.
 74. Thecomputer program product of claim 72, further comprising: wherein thedynamic modification comprises removing elements of the consumerspecific demand list associated with the at least one promotion nowdetermined to be available.
 75. The computer program product of claim72, further comprising: subsequent to the determination of theavailability of the at least one promotion, updating display, at theuser interface, of the consumer specific demand list to now comprise anicon or link to purchase the at least one promotion.
 76. The computerprogram product of claim 72, further comprising: updating, in thepromotion database, an aggregated list of consumer searched promotions,the aggregated list comprising each of one or more requested promotionsfrom each of a plurality of consumers.
 77. The computer program productof claim 72, further comprising: deriving a total demand for the atleast one promotion, from an amount of instances that the at least onepromotion is requested.
 78. The computer program product of claim 72,further comprising: ranking the at least one promotion among each of oneor more other requested promotions; and generating one or more rankedlists, the one or more ranked lists configured for dynamic allocation toat least one first sales resource.